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I don’t think I could ever really get used to the fading light of the new Hongyuang.
It felt as though I was beginning to make progress towards actually making a positive place in the City. A rarity for certain, but something I couldn’t take for granted. The people were relying on me to ensure that those nightmarish restructuring days would never send another soul scattering away, or that another soul would be forced to take on the mantle of a Heishou.
“W.U.”
Of course, there were others relying on me.
Ryōshū quickly made her way out onto the balcony, overlooking the still vast City. She was dressed in an extravagant kimono, adorned in scarlet spider webs. Though a part of me wished it was on the floor, those countless scars exposed for me to trace my fingers across.
“Just…taking a moment.” I said, nodding.
“Reasonable.” She said, tracing her fingers past mine as our palms pressed together.
“What do you think about the sight?” I said.
“Different from when we first entered. Much less artistic, but it has it’s own merits.” She said.
“Of course you’d say that.” I said, rolling my eyes.
“What do you think?” She said.
“It’s…everything I ever could have wanted, and so many things I couldn’t have expected, yet still were and are beautiful.” I said.
“Well put.” She said, moving back slightly and offering her other hand.
I take it, and let her lead.
She wasn’t the best in more traditional dances. She knew the battlefield by heart, as if she was practically born there, but in these terms? She was like an infant stumbling over her own feet as we moved back and forth.
The first few times we had danced she had been so afraid. Someone else might not have been able to see it, but she kept glancing at me, even when she was the one who was supposed to lead our movements.
Now, though?
She moved fluidly with each step, establishing our flowing movements across the tiled floor. Kimono gracefully billowing and occasionally brushing against the sleeves of my cheongsam. Especially when she spun me, or I spun her.
With one final twirl, she catches my back, holding me aloft as her scarlet eyes pierced into my own bright pink ones. A soft grin playing across her lips as she squeezes my other hand, and the last few embers of sunlight dance across her skin.
“F.G.?” She said.
“Excellent,” I said, before grinning, “though your leading movements could be a bit more clear, and your own spins a bit more fluid.”
“Heh, sounding more like a disapproving teacher than a G.F.” She said.
“What was it you said? When teaching someone you must put aside personal attachment?” I said.
“Fine.” She said, laughing more as she pulled me up.
It was such a wonderful sound. Usually I only got the soft, restrained one. To hear her so openly express her emotions was something I did not take for granted. Especially in the wake of whatever had happened in that infernal house.
“You know, speaking of girlfriend, where is our bat?” I said.
“Should be finishing up her bath.” She said.
“PARTNERS!!!”
As if on cue, the yellow creature came running from within the abode, bathrobe wrapped tightly around her meager form as she latched onto both of us. A bit of blood still present on her lips, which I quickly fixed by placing a kiss on her lips before wiping her mouth.
For just this moment, I let myself rest deeply within their embrace.